Article grouping lug

ABSTRACT

An loading apparatus ( 100 ) for use in a packaging machine includes a grouping conveyor ( 300 ) for conveying groups of articles ( 16 ) in a flow direction ( 10 ). The grouping conveyor ( 300 ) includes a plurality of conveyor plates ( 320 ) and grouping lugs ( 310 ) that are slidably attached to one of the plurality of conveyor plates ( 320 ) so as to be individually moveable in a transverse direction ( 90 ) to selectively extend to span the space between the grouping conveyor and a carton conveyor as needed to facilitate loading groups of the articles into cartons and to selectively retract to avoid impeding operation of the packaging machine. The grouping conveyor ( 300 ) also includes a multi-position locking mechanism ( 82 ) that releasably locks the grouping lug ( 310 ) in two transverse positions. A system of proximity sensors ( 530, 540 ) monitors the grouping conveyor ( 300 ) to ensure that the grouping lugs ( 310 ) are properly transversely positioned.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/914,287, filed Apr. 26, 2007, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to packaging machines and, more specifically, to apparatuses that include a selectively positionable grouping lug.

BACKGROUND

Different shapes and sizes of articles, such as cans and bottles, can be used for different purposes including marketing, trade dress, and volume constraints. (However, certain sizes and shapes of articles are not compatible with packaging machines designed for traditional bottles and cans. For example, certain packaging machines have a grouping conveyor and a carton conveyor and groups of articles are loaded from the grouping conveyor into cartons on the carton conveyor. There is commonly a gap between the grouping conveyor and the carton conveyor, and articles that are small relative to the size of the gap can undesirably fall or wobble as they cross the gap, potentially causing damage to the articles and the carton and improperly loading the carton. Therefore, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the industry to address the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies.

SUMMARY

The various embodiments of the present disclosure overcome the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a loading apparatus with selectively, individually, and alternatively positionable grouping lugs that can be used with a packaging machine to facilitate loading a carton with any of various sized articles, while eliminating the risk of articles being damaged or causing jams or other interruptions in the packaging process. The apparatus can include a grouping conveyor on which articles are grouped between successive pairs of grouping lugs, and a carton conveyor on which cartons are supported between successive pairs of carton lugs. The grouping lugs are automatically and dynamically extendable to at least partially span the space between the grouping conveyor and the carton conveyor as articles are loaded into cartons, and retractable to avoid other elements of the apparatus or packaging machine, such as frame elements of the conveyors, that are positioned between the conveyors. The grouping lugs and carton lugs cannot continuously extend over adjacent edges of the conveyors as they would be damaged as they traveled around the conveyor circuit.

The width of a gap between a grouping lug and a corresponding carton is controlled by transverse movement of the grouping lug. Thereby, it is possible to significantly reduce the gap such that the grouping lug facilitates loading articles into the carton on the carton conveyor. As the open end of the carton is typically positioned at the edge of the carton conveyor, the gap may be measured between an end of the grouping lug and the adjacent edge of the carton conveyor. Reducing the width of the gap is particularly useful where the gap is initially relatively large with respect to the diameter of articles to be packaged.

According to a first exemplary embodiment, an apparatus includes a grouping conveyor for conveying groups of articles in a flow direction. The grouping conveyor includes a plurality of conveyor plates and grouping lugs that are slidably attached to certain of the conveyor plates. The grouping lug can be slidably attached to the one of the plurality of conveyor plates by way of a groove and key arrangement. The grouping lugs are transversely moveable with respect to the flow direction.

The grouping lug can be releasably fixed with respect to a conveyor plate in multiple operative positions, including an extended position and a retracted position, by way of a multi-position locking mechanism. For example, a first locking element can be positioned on a conveyor plate and second and third locking elements can be positioned on a corresponding grouping lug. The first locking element is releasably engageable with the second locking element in a retracted position and releasably engageable with the third locking element in an extended position. The locking elements that releasably engage one another can include a detent/recess arrangement. The locking mechanism can include additional locking elements that define other operational positions. Also, the locking elements can be positioned on either of the grouping lug and corresponding conveyor plate. For example, the first locking element can be positioned on the grouping lug and the second and third locking elements can be positioned on the corresponding conveyor plate.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, the grouping lug includes a roller or other structure that is adapted for translation along a cam. The cam is disposed so as to impart the transverse movement and transversely position the grouping lug. The cam includes an upstream cam track that can move the grouping lug from a retracted position to an extended position and a downstream cam track that can move the grouping lug from the extended position to the retracted position. In the extended position, the grouping lug closes the gap and facilitates loading articles onto the carton conveyor.

It is envisaged that the carton lug could include elements similar to those of the grouping lug such that the carton lug is transversely moveable in place of, or in addition to, the grouping lug.

The apparatus includes a system for verifying that the grouping lugs are properly transversely positioned as the grouping lugs travel in the flow direction. The system includes an extended position proximity sensor that is positioned in between the upstream cam track and the downstream cam track to ensure that the grouping lugs are in extended positions so as to facilitate loading the cartons. The system also includes a retracted position proximity sensor that is positioned downstream of the downstream cam track to ensure that the grouping lugs are retracted so as not to be damaged as they travel underneath the grouping conveyor.

The foregoing has broadly outlined some of the aspects and features of exemplary embodiments, which should be construed to be merely illustrative of various potential applications of the teachings. Other beneficial results can be obtained by applying the disclosed information in a different manner or by combining various aspects of the disclosed embodiments. Accordingly, other aspects and a more comprehensive understanding of the disclosure may be obtained by referring to the detailed description of the exemplary embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in addition to the scope of the disclosure defined by the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partial plan view of an apparatus that includes a grouping conveyor and a carton conveyor, according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a partial side elevation view of the grouping conveyor of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a partial end elevation view of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 4-7 are views of a grouping lug, according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a grouping lug of and a conveyor plate of the grouping conveyor of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of elements of the grouping conveyor of FIG. 1 illustrating the operation of the grouping lug of FIGS. 4-7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As required, detailed embodiments are disclosed herein. It must be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary and may be embodied in various and alternative forms, and combinations thereof. As used herein, the word “exemplary” is used expansively to refer to embodiments that serve as illustrations, specimens, models, or patterns. The figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. In other instances, well-known components, systems, materials, or methods have not been described in detail in order to avoid obscuring the present disclosure. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views, the drawings illustrate certain of the various aspects of exemplary embodiments of an apparatus. Typically, the apparatus is for use with a packaging machine that facilitates loading a carton with articles. The apparatus includes a grouping conveyor, on which articles are grouped between a pair of grouping lugs, and a carton conveyor, on which cartons are supported between a pair of carton lugs. The various embodiments of the disclosure are useful for example where a gap between the vertical support surface of a grouping lug and the vertical support surface of a carton lug is relatively large with respect to the diameter of articles to be packaged and also where the structure of the minor end flap of a carton is such that support thereof is required to properly load the articles.

The terms “upstream”, “downstream”, “trailing”, and “leading” are used herein with respect to a flow direction 10 and with respect to conveyor paths 11, 12. The terms can be used to describe the direction of movement of elements or the relative position of elements with respect to one another. Specifically, the terms “upstream” and “downstream” can refer to elements having fixed positions, for example, where a downstream element is positioned at a distance in the flow direction 10 from an upstream element. Downstream movement is movement in the flow direction 10 and upstream movement is movement opposite the flow direction 10. Further, the terms “leading” and “trailing” can refer to elements that are moving in the flow direction 10, for example, where the leading element is further along in the flow direction 10 than the trailing element.

The terms “longitudinal” and “transverse” are used herein to describe movement or alignment with respect to the conveyor paths 11, 12. Specifically, the term longitudinal can be used to describe movement or alignment with a conveyor path 11, 12 and the term transverse can be used to describe movement or alignment that is substantially perpendicular or lateral with respect to the conveyor path 11, 12.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, an exemplary loading apparatus 100 includes a carton conveyor 200 and a grouping conveyor 300 that are adjacent to one another. The carton conveyor 200 and the grouping conveyor 300 move cartons 14 shown in FIG. 3 and groups of articles 16, respectively, along parallel paths 11, 12 in the flow direction 10. The carton conveyor 200 includes carton lugs 210 and the grouping conveyor 300 includes grouping lugs 310. A group of articles 16 is grouped between a pair of grouping lugs 310 and a carton 14 is supported as a tubular structure between a pair of carton lugs 210. The group of articles 16 and the carton 14 move at substantially the same speed along the parallel longitudinal paths 11, 12 and are substantially transversely aligned such that the group of articles 16 can be laterally moved into the carton 14.

Referring particularly to FIG. 2, the articles 16 are shown as beverage bottles; however, the conveyor could be used to convey any suitable type of article, including various types of cylindrical beverage containers, such as cans or boxes, as well as other conveyable products. The articles 16 are grouped, spaced apart, and/or metered by the grouping lugs 310, which ensure that a predefined number of articles 16 are conveyed into cartons 14 or other containers. It should be understood that, although the group of articles 16 illustrated in FIG. 1 is a single row, a group of articles 16 is typically a matrix arrangement of rows and columns.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3, the carton 14 is formed from a foldable sheet material such as paperboard, corrugated board, plastic, laminates, any combination thereof, or the like. To encourage an understanding of the various aspects of the disclosure, the description of the construction of the carton 14 will be minimal. The foldable sheet material is, typically provided as a unitary blank, which is partially assembled to form a collapsed tubular carton. In this collapsed state, the open-ended carton 14 can be fed into the loading apparatus 100, where the carton 14 is partially erected as a tubular structure and placed on the carton conveyor 200 between a pair of carton lugs 210. Once a group of articles 16 is loaded through an open end of the carton 14, the end flaps are folded and secured together to form an end closure structure.

In the exemplary embodiment, a horizontal support surface 20 of the carton conveyor 200 is static and the carton lugs 210 move across the horizontal support surface 20. The carton lugs 210 are attached to carrier chains that are tensioned around sprockets, which are driven by motors. However, in alternative embodiments, the horizontal support surface 20 can be defined by a series of plates 320 that are attached to carrier chains and the carton lugs 210 can be attached to certain of the plates. Each of the carton lugs 210 includes a trailing side wall 234, which provides a vertical contact surface 31 for the leading side wall of a carton 14, and a leading side wall 232, which provides a vertical contact surface 32 for the trailing side wall of a carton 14.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 again, a horizontal support surface 22 of the grouping conveyor 300 is defined by a series of plates 320 that are attached to a conveyor chain (not shown). The carrier chains are tensioned around sprockets, which are driven by motors (not shown). Each of the grouping lugs 310 and certain of the plates 320 include elements that cooperate with one another such that the grouping lugs 310 can be slidably attached to the plates 320 and elements that cooperate with one another such the grouping lugs 310 can be releasably secured to the plates 320, as described in further detail below. Each of the grouping lugs 310 includes a trailing rear wall 334, which provides a vertical contact surface 33 for a group of articles 16, and a leading front wall 332, which provides a vertical contact surface 34 for a group of articles 16.

The horizontal support surfaces 20, 22 are each defined by a respective longitudinal outside edge 41, 44 and a respective longitudinal inside edge 42, 43. A gap 51 is provided between the adjacent inside edges 42, 43 of the respective horizontal support surfaces 20, 22. A transition plate 110 at least partially bridges the gap 51 between the horizontal support surfaces 20, 22.

In the exemplary embodiment, the carton lugs 210 extend transversely across the width of the support surface 20 of the carton conveyor 200 and the grouping lugs 310 extend transversely across the width of the support surface 22 of the grouping conveyor 300 when the grouping lugs 310 are retracted or in a first position. Ends 61, 62 of each of the carton lugs 210 are substantially vertically aligned with the longitudinal edges 41, 42 of the carton conveyor 200. Ends 63, 64 of each of the grouping lugs 310 are substantially initially vertically aligned with the longitudinal edges 43, 44 of the grouping conveyor 300 when the grouping lugs 310 are retracted. A gap 52 is defined between the end 63 of the grouping lug 310 and the adjacent edge of the side wall 70 of the carton 14 along which a minor end flap 71 is hingedly connected. The gap 52 may be alternatively defined between the end 63 of the grouping lug 310 and the adjacent edge 42 of the carton conveyor 200 or otherwise between the adjacent ends 62, 63 of the lugs 210, 310. It should be noted that, in certain embodiments, a carton lugs may be omitted from the carton conveyor.

As used herein, the term “retracted” refers to a first position of the grouping lugs 310 as described in further detail below and the term “extended” refers to a second position of the grouping lugs 310 as described in further detail below.

In the exemplary embodiment, since the ends 62, 63 are aligned with the edges 42, 43 when the grouping lugs 310 are retracted, the gap 52 is initially substantially the same as the gap 51. However, in alternative embodiments, the gaps 51, 52 can be different when the grouping lugs 310 are retracted.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, during the loading process, each group of articles 16 is urged across the inside edge 43 of the grouping conveyor 300, across the transition plate 110, and toward the open end of a carton 14 on the carton conveyor 200. However, in certain applications, an article 16 can slide into the gap 52 during the packaging process, which can cause the loading apparatus 100 to jam or fail and to improperly load the carton 14.

Such applications include where the gap 52 is relatively large with respect to the diameter of the articles 16 that are to be packaged. Such applications also include where the structure of the minor end flaps 71 of the cartons 14 does not allow the minor end flap 71 to bridge the gap 52 or otherwise prevent an article 16 from moving into the gap 52 during the loading process. For example, in applications where the length of the hinged connection between the minor end flap 71 and the side wall 70 is relatively short, the minor end flaps 71 then provide less structural support.

It should be noted that the gap 51 may be introduced as structures are disposed between the adjacent grouping conveyor 300 and carton conveyor 200. For example, the structures can be those that facilitate securing the frame (not shown) of the grouping conveyor 300 and the frame (not shown) of the carton conveyor 200 to a common frame (not shown) of the loading apparatus 100 or packaging machine. It should also be noted that if the grouping lugs 310 and the carton lugs 210 were continuously extended over the longitudinal edges 41, 42, 43, 44 of the grouping conveyor 300 and carton conveyor 200, respectively, the portions of the lugs 210, 310 that extend over the longitudinal edges 41, 42, 43, 44 would be obstructed by the frames that house the conveyors 200, 300 as the lugs 210, 310 follow the circuit or path of the carrier chains.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-3, but also to FIGS. 4-9, the grouping lug 310 is described in further detail. The illustrated grouping lug 310 has a generally trapezoidal horizontal cross section, as viewed from the plan view of FIG. 1; however, the grouping lug 310 can have many different cross-sectional shapes including, but not limited to, a rectangle, a triangle, a semi-circle, combinations thereof and the like that can provide the necessary functionality in grouping products. It should be understood that the size and shape of the grouping lug 310 are design decisions that are at least partially dependent on the packaging application.

Referring to FIGS. 4-7, the exemplary grouping lug 310 has a structure defined by walls including a base wall 330, the front wall 332, the rear wall 334, a first end wall 336, and a second end wall 338. The base wall 330 has a substantially elongated trapezoidal shape with the portion terminating at the outside end 64 being tapered. The walls 332, 334, 336, 338 extend substantially vertically from the horizontal plane defined by the base wall 330 and a lower edge of each wall 332, 334, 336, 338 corresponds to an edge of the base wall 330. The front and rear walls 332, 334 are substantially parallel to one another, the second end wall 338 is substantially perpendicular to the front and rear walls 332, 334, and the first end wall 336 forms an acute angle with respect to the front wall 332.

Tapering the portion of the grouping lug 310 terminating at the outside end 64 facilitates separating articles 16 into groups. However, as mentioned above, the grouping lug 310 can have any suitable size or shape. It should be noted that, in place of tapering, alternative means for gradually decreasing the width of the lug may be used, including a curved or stepped end wall, depending on the application.

In the exemplary embodiment, a portion of the front wall 332 extends beyond the second end wall 338 to define a support structure 80. It should be understood that the support structure 80 can be integral or attached to the grouping lug 310 and that the exemplary support structure 80 is selected to minimize the amount of material used while maintaining the function thereof. The support structure 80 portion of the grouping lug 310 can be defined so as to be the portion of the grouping lug 310 that extends across the inside edge 43 of the grouping conveyor 300 to narrow the gap 52, as described in further detail below.

The base wall 330 includes a key 340 such that the grouping lug 310 can be slidingly received by the conveyor plate 320, as described in further detail below. The key 340 is molded or machined so as to be integral to the grouping lug 310. However, in alternative embodiments, the key 340 can be attached to the base wall 330. The cross section of the key 340, as shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 7, is substantially T-shaped so as to include a neck 342 that extends substantially perpendicularly from the base wall 330 and a flange 344 that is disposed at the distal end of the neck 342. In the exemplary embodiment, the key 340 is centered with respect to the width of the base wall 330 and aligned with the length of the base wall 330. The key 340 extends from the first end wall 336 toward the second end wall 338.

The grouping lug 310 includes elements a of two position locking mechanism 82 that releasably secures the grouping lug 310 to the conveyor plate 320 at positions along the length of the conveyor plate 320, as described in further detail below. Generally described, the two position locking mechanism 82 includes an arrangement of locking elements formed in contacting surfaces of the grouping lug 310 and the respective conveyor plate 320. The locking mechanism 82 may include any number of locking elements where at least two of the locking elements releasably engage one another at any one position. An exemplary arrangement of locking elements is now described.

Referring to FIGS. 4-7, the grouping lug 310 includes a pair of cantilever arms 350 a, 350 b that are each defined by a channel 352 a, 352 b in the base wall 330. A detent 354 a, 354 b or bump is disposed at the distal end of each of the cantilever arms 350 a, 350 b.

Each of the exemplary channels 352 a, 352 b has a substantially U-shaped path, although many variations could be used including, but not limited to, a squared U-shaped path, a V-shaped path, or any other path for defining the cantilever arms 350 a, 350 b. The channels 352 a, 352 b facilitate displacing the cantilever arms 350 a, 350 b from the plane defined by the outside surface of the base wall 330. The channels 352 a, 352 b fully extend through the base wall 330 to completely separate the distal ends of the cantilever arms 350 a, 350 b from the base wall 330. Thereby, the distal ends of the cantilever arms 350 a, 350 b can displace inwardly and outwardly with respect to the outside surface of the base wall 330. It should be noted that the length of the cantilever arm 350 a, 350 b, and the thickness and elasticity of the material that is used to form each of the cantilever arms 350 a, 350 b will at least partially determine the amount that the distal end of each of the cantilever arms 350 a, 350 b will displace as a force is applied to a respective one of the detents 354 a, 354 b.

In alternative embodiments, the cantilever arms 350 a, 350 b can be integral to the flange 344 of the key 340. In fact, it is contemplated that elements of the locking mechanism can be formed in any portion or wall of the grouping lug 310 and the conveyor plate 320 where surfaces thereof are in contact when the grouping lug 310 and the conveyor plate 320 are slidably attached to one another.

In the exemplary embodiment, each of the cantilever arms 350 a, 350 b is aligned with the key 340. Further the cantilever arms 350 a, 350 b are arranged such that the distal ends thereof are adjacent to one another. It should be understood that the key 340 and the cantilever arms 350 a, 350 b can be alternatively arranged and continue to provide the functionality described herein.

Each of the detents 354 a, 354 b is positioned near the distal end of a respective one of the cantilever arms 350 a, 350 b and protrudes or projects outwardly from the outer surface of the base wall 330. Each detent 354 a, 354 b has a substantially hemispherical shape. However, each detent 354 a, 354 b can have any shape that maintains the functionality of the locking mechanism 82 including a truncated cone or frustum structure, a cone, a peg, combinations thereof, and the like. In alternative embodiments, detents 354 a, 354 b are spring loaded with a spring rather than a cantilever arm.

The positions of the detents 354 a, 354 b represent two alternative positions where the grouping lug 310 is detachably secured to the conveyor plate 320. Thus, the distance D between the detents 354 a, 354 b represents the amount of lateral or transverse displacement of the grouping lug 310 as the grouping lug 310 moves between the two positions, as described in further detail below.

The grouping lug 310 includes cavities 360, 362 that are defined by the walls of the grouping lug 310. The cavities 360, 362 reduce the weight of the grouping lug 310 and the amount of material used to form the grouping lug 310 while maintaining the necessary dimensions and strength of the grouping lug 310. To provide structural integrity a rib 364 extends between the front and rear walls 332, 334 in the cavity 362. The rib 364 is positioned to provide structural stability without interfering with the movement of the cantilever arms 350 a, 350 b. Those who are skilled in the art will understand that any number of ribs can be used in any suitable configuration to provide the necessary structural integrity.

A solid portion 370 of the grouping lug 310 is positioned between the cavities 360, 362. A depression, cutout, or slot 372 in the upper end of the grouping lug 310 defines the upper surface of the solid portion 370. A roller 374 or other cam following structure is attached to the solid portion 370 so as to be positioned in the slot 372. The roller 374 cooperates with a cam 500, which is described in further detail below.

Referring to FIG. 8, the conveyor plate 320 includes a groove 440 that is dimensioned and positioned to receive the key 340 such that the grouping lug 310 can be slidably attached to the conveyor plate 320. It should be noted that the groove 440 is transversely aligned such that the grouping lug 310 can slide in a transverse direction 90 when slidingly attached to the conveyor plate 320.

It should be understood that the exemplary groove 440 is substantially T-shaped in order to matingly receive the T-shaped key 340. The key 340 and groove 440 can have any corresponding cross-sectional shape including but not limited to an L-shape, a dovetail, a wedge, or a shape that has a wider portion which is distal to a narrower portion. Generally, the corresponding cross-sectional shapes have a narrower neck or proximal portion and a wider flange or distal portion such that the movement of the grouping lug 310 is limited to that along the length of the groove 440.

The conveyor plate 320 further includes an aperture 454 that is disposed in a portion of the conveyor plate 320 that partially defines the horizontal support surface 22 of the grouping conveyor 300. The aperture 454 is dimensioned and positioned such that the each of the detents 354 a, 354 b can be received and engaged therein to releasably secure the grouping lug 310 to the conveyor plate 320, as described in further detail below. It should be understood that any suitable means for receiving the detents 354 a, 354 b can be substituted for the aperture including, but not limited to, a groove, a depression, a slot, a recess, combinations thereof, and the like.

Referring to FIG. 8, the grouping lug 310 can be slidably attached and releasably secured to the conveyor plate 320 by arranging the grouping lug 310 such that the inside end 63 is adjacent to the open end of the groove 440 and slidingly inserting the leading end 65 (shown in FIGS. 6 and 8) of the key 340 into the open end of the groove 440. Thereby, the grouping lug 310 is slidably attached to the conveyor plate 320.

Thereafter, as the key 340 continues to slide into the groove 440, the detent 354 a comes into contact with the end wall 66 of the groove 440, causing the cantilever arm 350 a to inwardly displace until the detent 354 a clears the end wall 66 of the groove 440. As the key 340 continues to slide into the groove 440, the detent 354 a is held in contact with the horizontal support surface 22 of the conveyor plate 320 by the cantilever arm 350 a until the detent 354 a comes into registry with the aperture 454. At that point, the cantilever arm 350 a returns to its undeflected state and the detent 354 a is received in the aperture 454.

The tendency of the cantilever arm 350 a to resist displacement or deflection releasably secures the detent 354 a in the aperture 454. Thereby, the grouping lug 310 is releasably secured at a first position to the conveyor plate 320. In the first position, the outside end 64 of the grouping lug 310 is aligned with the longitudinal outside edge 44 of the grouping conveyor 300 and the inside end 63 of the grouping lug 310 (or the distal end of the support structure 80) is aligned with the longitudinal inside edge 43 of the grouping conveyor 300.

The grouping lug 310 can be moved from the first position to a second position by applying a lateral force to move the key 340 further into the groove 440. Thereby, the detent 354 a disengages from the aperture 454 and the grouping lug 310 slides along the length of the conveyor plate 320 until the detent 354 b comes into contact with the end wall 66 of the groove 440, causing the cantilever arm 350 b to inwardly displace until the detent 354 b clears the end wall 66 of the groove 440. As the key 340 continues to slide into the groove 440, the detent 354 b is held in contact with the horizontal support surface 22 of the conveyor plate 320 by the cantilever arm 350 b until the detent 354 b comes into registry with the aperture 454 and the cantilever arm 350 b returns to its undeflected state such that the detent 354 b is received in the aperture 454.

Thereby, the grouping lug 310 is releasably secured at a second position to the conveyor plate 320. In the second position, the leading end N5 of the key 340 is in contact with the end wall N6 of the groove 440 to facilitate positioning the detent 354 a in the aperture 454. In the second position, the outside end 64 of the grouping lug 310 is offset from the longitudinal outside edge 44 of the grouping conveyor 300 and the inside end 63 of the grouping lug 310 (or the distal end of the support structure 80) extends over the longitudinal inside edge 43 of the grouping conveyor 300.

The grouping lug 310 is removed from the conveyor plate 320 by applying a lateral force on the grouping lug 310 in a direction toward the open end of the groove 440.

Referring to FIG. 9, in the exemplary embodiment, the loading apparatus 100 includes a cam 500 that includes an upstream cam track 510 and a downstream cam track 520. Each of the cam tracks 510, 520 is designed to cooperate with the roller 374. Specifically, the roller 374 contacts the each of the cam tracks 510, 520 and follows the path of the cam tracks 510, 520 to move the grouping lug 310 between the first and second positions while traveling in the flow direction 10.

An extended proximity sensor 530 is positioned between the cam tracks 510, 520 and a retracted proximity sensor 540 is positioned downstream of the downstream cam track 520. The extended proximity sensor 530 verifies that the passing grouping lugs 310 are positioned in an extended position and the retracted proximity sensor 540 verifies that the passing grouping lugs 310 are positioned in a retracted position. The proximity sensors 530, 540 are connected to the drive of the loading apparatus 100 or packaging machine, including the drives of the conveyors 200, 300, such that should a grouping lug 310 not be properly positioned, the loading apparatus 100 or packaging machine is shut down to avoid damaging the loading apparatus 100.

As used herein, the term “operative area” 600 will be used to describe the length or area of the loading apparatus 100 where the groups of articles 16 are urged, pushed, or guided into the cartons 14. In the operative area 600, the grouping lugs 310 are moved to the second position such that the gap 52 is narrowed or closed. Thus, articles 16 are not received in the gap 52 and are properly loaded in the carton 14. For example, a computer 550 that controls a drive 560 of the grouping conveyor 300 may receive input from the proximity sensors 530, 540 as shown in FIG. 9.

The upstream cam track 510 is positioned at the upstream end of the operative area 600 to move the grouping lugs 310 from the first position to the second position. The downstream cam track 520 is positioned at the downstream end of the operative area 600 to move the grouping lugs 310 from the second position to the first position. After the grouping lugs 310 are returned to the first position by the downstream cam track 520, the grouping lugs 310 do not extend over the edge 43 of the grouping conveyor 300 and can move in a circuit to return to the upstream end of the operative area 600 without being obstructed by the frame of the loading apparatus 100. It should be understood that, in the operative area 600, the grouping lugs 310 can be moved to the second position without obstructing the frame of the loading apparatus 100.

For example, according to an exemplary loading process, as the group of articles 16 and the corresponding carton 14 move into the operative area 600, the trailing grouping lug 310 is moved in a transverse direction, from the first position to the second position, such that the grouping lug 310 moves toward the carton lug 210 to narrow the gap 52 therebetween. Thus, the vertical contact surface 34 of the grouping lug 310 and the vertical contact surface 32 of the carton lug 210 define an approximately continuous surface that guides and supports the group of articles 16 as the articles 16 are pushed or guided into the carton 14. The gap 52 can be narrowed, without being completely closed, so long as the width of the gap 52 is sufficiently less than the diameter of each of the articles 16.

It should be understood that, to move in a transverse direction, the grouping lug 310 moves with respect to the conveyor plate 320 to which it is slidingly attached such that the key 340 slides within the groove 440. Further, the mechanisms that releasably secure the grouping lug 310 at positions along the length of the plate 320 provide that the cam 500 does not necessarily extend the length of the operative area 600.

The above-described embodiments are merely exemplary illustrations of implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the disclosure. Variations, modifications, and combinations may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the claims. All such variations, modifications, and combinations are included herein by the scope of this disclosure and the following claims. 

1. A loading apparatus comprising: a grouping conveyor for conveying groups of articles (16) in a flow direction (10), the grouping conveyor comprising: a plurality of conveyor plates that provide a surface for supporting articles; a grouping lug that is slidably attached to one of the plurality of conveyor plates so as to be moveable in a transverse direction; and a locking mechanism, comprising: a first locking element positioned on one of the grouping lug and the one of the plurality of conveyor plates; and a second locking element and a third locking element, each being positioned on the other of the grouping lug and the one of the plurality of conveyor plates.
 2. The loading apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second locking element defines a first transverse position for the grouping lug and the third locking element defines a second transverse position for the grouping lug.
 3. The loading apparatus of claim 1, wherein the grouping lug is slidably attached to the one of the plurality of conveyor plates by way of a groove and key.
 4. The loading apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a cam; and the grouping lug further comprising a cam following structure, the cam being disposed so as to impart transverse movement and selectively position the grouping lug.
 5. The loading apparatus of claim 4, wherein the cam comprises: an upstream cam track that can move the grouping lug from a first transverse position to a second transverse position; and a downstream cam track that can move the grouping lug from the second transverse position to the first transverse position.
 6. The loading apparatus of claim 5, further comprising: an extended position proximity sensor positioned in between the upstream cam track and the downstream cam track; and a retracted position proximity sensor positioned downstream of the downstream cam track.
 7. The loading apparatus of claim 1, comprising: a carton conveyor for conveying cartons in the flow direction, the carton conveyor comprising a carton lug adapted for supporting a trailing wall of a carton on the carton conveyor, wherein the carton lug and the grouping lug travel in transverse alignment with respect to one another such that a gap is defined between adjacent ends thereof, wherein the transverse movement of the grouping lug changes the width of the gap.
 8. The loading apparatus of claim 1, comprising: a carton conveyor for conveying cartons in the flow direction, the carton conveyor, wherein the transverse movement of the grouping lug changes the width of a gap that is defined between an end of the grouping lug and an adjacent edge of the carton conveyor.
 9. A grouping conveyor, comprising: a conveyor plate comprising a plate edge; and a grouping lug associated with the conveyor plate, the grouping lug comprising a first end, the grouping lug being transversely moveable with respect to the conveyor plate and releasably fixable in a plurality of transverse positions, wherein in at least one of the plurality of transverse positions the first end extends beyond the plate edge.
 10. The grouping conveyor of claim 9, further comprising a multi-position locking mechanism that defines the plurality of transverse positions.
 11. The grouping conveyor of claim 10, the multi-position locking mechanism comprising: a first locking element positioned on one of the grouping lug and the conveyor plate; and a second locking element and a third locking element, each being positioned on the other of the grouping lug and the conveyor plate.
 12. The grouping conveyor of claim 9, wherein the grouping lug is slidably attached to the conveyor plate by way of a key and groove to allow transverse movement.
 13. The grouping conveyor of claim 9, the grouping lug further comprising a structure that is adapted for translation along a cam.
 14. A grouping lug for engaging articles conveyed on a series of conveyor plates, the lug being slidably attachable to one of the conveyor plates, the grouping lug comprising: a first locking element and a second locking element, each being releasably engageable with a third locking element of the conveyor plate, wherein the first locking element defines a first position of the grouping lug with respect to the conveyor plate and the second locking element defines a second position of the grouping lug with respect to the conveyor plate.
 15. The grouping lug of claim 14, wherein at least one of the first locking element and the second locking element comprises: a cantilever arm integrally formed with the grouping lug; and a detent formed with the cantilever arm.
 16. The grouping lug of claim 14, further comprising one of a key and groove for slidably attaching the grouping lug to one of the conveyor plates.
 17. The grouping lug of claim 14, further comprising a cam following structure. 